Abstract: A navigational control system for, and method of controlling the operation of, a driverless vehicle. The system includes a vehicle travel path and a visual object detection system for generating data relating to the position of the vehicle relative to objects in readable proximity to the travel path. The system includes an inertial guidance system for controlling operation of steering and drive mechanisms to direct the vehicle substantially along the travel path, and for correcting deviation from said travel path based upon data generated by said visual object detection systems, and for detecting impending obstacle contact.